Goffs Orby Yearling Sale graduate Surf Dancer put up a thrilling performance to land the G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill, Australia on Saturday 24th September.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse the five-year-old gelding got back to winning ways showing no issues stepping up to Group company following a 154 day break from the track. Holding a front running position throughout the contest in the hands of Regan Bayliss, the gelding pushed clear of the field by 3/4 length in the final 100m to secure the race easily.
Surf Dancer was trained previously by William Haggas in Newmarket, where he won a total of three races including the Listed King Charles II Stakes at York in 2020. Since changing hands to Gai Waterhouse in Australia in 2021, Surf Dancer has placed on two of his three other starts, including a third place in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury, Australia.
Bred by Skymarc Farm and Qatar Racing Surf Dancer is out of the Stakes-winning mare Beach Belle, herself a half-sister to the G2-Placed Dubai Mile and Stakes-winning and Group-placed Naadirr. Surf Dancer is a full-brother to winner Cover Mission, both being sons of Ballylinch’s Lope De Vega.
Jamie Railton sold Surf Dancer in 2018 at Goffs Orby Sale, selling him for a total of €260,000 to China Horse/Ballylinch Stud.